Gen Raheel shakes hands with Sergey Naryshkin during a meeting in Moscow. PHOTO: INP
Russia has said that it stands by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism as well as its efforts to establish stability in the region. The statement came from Sergey Naryshkin, Chairman of the State Duma (lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia), after a meeting with Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif in central Moscow on Wednesday, according to the chief military spokesperson.
Gen Raheel is visiting Russia as part of Pakistan’s efforts to improve relations between the former Cold War rivals. This is his first visit to the country as the army chief.
Maj Gen Asim Bajwa, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a series of tweets on micro-blogging website Twitter that the army chief met Naryshkin to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Naryshkin, who is also called speaker of the lower house, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability.
Maj Gen Bajwa said the Russian official also praised the achievements of Pakistan in the ongoing military operation codenamed Zarb-e-Azb. “Our relations are independent, more consistent and will grow further,” Naryshkin told Gen Raheel. The remarks clearly indicate that the two countries are moving closer to consolidating their relationship after years of quiet diplomacy necessitated by changes in the region.
Pakistan and Russia had been bitter Cold War rivals, but ever-increasing ties between India and the United States have compelled Moscow to improve its ties with Islamabad.
According to Maj Gen Bajwa, the army chief spent the better part of the day at the “dynamic defence expo” that showcased “highly impressive display of all types of arms, aircraft and helicopters”. He said Naryshkin and Gen Raheel discussed ways to enhance cooperation, including more military exchanges, to benefit from each other’s combat experience.
Pakistan is keen to procure MI-35 attack helicopters from Russia. Moscow had recently indicated that it was willing to accept Islamabad’s request, suggesting a policy shift, because the two countries had limited defence cooperation in the past due to the India factor.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2015.
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